.png "Konik ponies and geese at Oostvaardersplassen in the Netherlands (photo by Hans Kampf)")
Conservation grazing schemes outside of the UK offer much in the way of different techniques and philosophies to our own home-grown schemes. GAP has actively been involved with international conservation grazing projects. GAP is a Eurosite partner, and has members from as far afield as Arizona and Bulgaria. We organised study tours to sites in Europe, included a trip to the shepherded heathlands of Holland and a GAP Welfare group visit to Oostvaarplassen to examine the welfare implications intervention grazing.
Global Grazing Links
Here are some links to Europe and further afield. Most of these have some connection to conservation grazing although some (such as Eurosite or the USDA) are generic links.► ARK: naturalistic grazing in the Netherlands with links to Latvia and Bulgaria. Also provide Konik ponies for grazing projects (English translation available)
► BURRENLIFE: www.burrenlife.com - the first major farming for conservation project in Ireland► DE GRAZERIE: nature management with sheep in the Netherlands (English translation available)
► EFNCP - EUROPEAN FORUM FOR NATURE CONSERVATION & PASTORALISM
► EUROSITE: the largest network of organisations devoted to nature conservation management across Europe
► EUROPEAN LIVESTOCK ALLIANCE: formed in 2001 to provide effective representation for European animal breeders, keepers and food producers.
► GRAZING NETWORKS: www.grazingnetworks.nl/ - Hans Kampf’s website on ecology and grazing animals including information on the Oostvaardersplassen reserve in the Netherlands and grazing in Germany. (English translation available)
► LARGE HERBIVORE FOUNDATION: The LHF is a nature conservation and- restoration program for large plant eating mammals and their habitats in Eurasia, involved with over 45 species of large herbivores and around 30 projects. The LHF aim to protect the large herbivore species and restore their ecological role within their original ranges.
► SCHAPEDRIFT: heathland grazing with sheep in the Netherlands.(English translation available)
► SHETLAND SHEEP IN HOLLAND: website on the use of Shetland sheep in the Netherlands
► TEMPLE GRANDIN: Dr Temple Grandin's web page - Dr. Grandin is a designer of livestock handling facilities and a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. This web page is designed to educate people throughout the world about modern methods of livestock handling which will improve animal welfare and productivity.
► US DEPT OF THE INTERIOR: BUREAU OF LAND MANGEMENT